Stars eclipse Comets for a three-peat

Shooting Stars cruised to their third straight victory over the Comets in the third round of the Hedland First National Women's competition at Kevin Scott Oval last Monday.

The Stars won the toss and elected to bowl — a decision that paid off, with opener Lyn Poharama departing for five runs in the second over. A sharp catch from Tracey Marlow dismissed Amanda Egan, leaving the Comets reeling on 2/18. Runs began to flow more easily with Comets adding 31 before two quick wickets put the Stars back in front.

Opener Vanessa Wainwright held the Comets innings together, making 53 not out, to record her highest score. Wainwright found help from debutant Hannah Nordman, who rode her luck, being dropped early in her innings and caught out on a no-ball, blasting 29 from 31 deliveries, including four fours to lift the Comets to a defendable 120.

Shooting Stars got off to a rocky start when Poharama ran out Tracey Marlow off a brilliant piece of fielding, before bowling Kristy Morgan to leave the Stars 2/15 after three overs.

The Stars were coasting along when their third wicket fell in the 15th over, leaving them needing 19 runs from the final five overs.

Lisa Brooks and Isabelle Morgan withstood a bowling onslaught before the winning run came from a no-ball in the 19th over. Comets rued some wayward bowling, with 43 extras conceded compared to the Stars 25.